MARYSVILLE — The Marysville Kiwanis Club and Soroptimist International Chapter came together for their annual awards breakfast at Fanny’s Restaurant, held June 3 this year, to recognize the local students who have stood out, even among their fellow “Student of the Month” awardees.
Susan Sullivan, counselor for the Bio-Med Academy at Marysville-Pilchuck High School, presented the Marysville Kiwanis Students of the Year Awards to Bio-Med seniors Albert Castro and Nick Forsythe. She noted that both young men made time before or after class, rather than during, to see her for appointments, which she deemed evidence of their commitment to their coursework.
Sullivan reported that Castro’s teachers regard him as responsible, studious and always willing to assist his peers, in ways that don’t make them feel diminished. According to Sullivan, the Biotech Club depended upon Castro’s research skills, and she characterized him as a driven young man with high expectations for himself. Sullivan went on to describe Forsythe as a sensitive yet confident seeker of information, who has shown dedication and has “always come through” for his classmates.
“I’ll always remember these fondly as some of the best years of my life,” said Castro, who expressed the hope that both underclassmen and his younger siblings would look upon him as a positive example. “If I’ve learned anything, it’s that you shouldn’t be afraid to believe in the impossible, because striving for it is what’s made me a better person than I was yesterday.”
“This is just a wonderful high school,” Forsythe said of M-PHS. “I’ve been blessed with teachers who were interested in my goals, and friends who shared those goals. I’d like to be remembered as somebody who always tried to do the right thing here.”
The Naval Junior ROTC Award was presented to Cadet Petty Officer Amy Hunziker by Master Chief Petty Officer Ed Dawson, of the M-PHS NJROTC program. Dawson has been pleased with Hunziker’s progress, notably her service as M-PHS NJROTC operations officer during the first semester of this school year. He recalled the work she’s done with the drill team, and cited her leadership as one of the reasons why the M-PHS NJROTC received its 11th Naval Achievement Award in a row this year. Hunziker will serve as the M-PHS NJROTC executive officer next school year.
M-PHS counselor Carol Fisher followed by naming Emily Boerger, Gloria Olsen, Amy Famelos and Taylor Olsen this year’s Soroptimist Scholarship Winners. Fisher summed up Boerger as “an amazing student, an amazing athlete, and an amazing person,” notable for being an independent and conscientious self-starter. Fisher touted Gloria Olsen’s kindness, gentleness, intelligence and strength as the reasons for many of her accomplishments, as well as her willingness to help others. Fisher had been a student of Famelos’ grandfather, and was pleased that Famelos herself gave off “a contagious cheerfulness,” that “lit up” everyone around her. As for Taylor Olsen, Fisher was impressed with her from the moment they first met, and Taylor, then only a ninth-grader, corrected a statement by Fisher that was inaccurate, which Fisher lauded as evidence that Taylor is determined to seek out the right answers in her life.
Fisher then presented Colleen Mack with the Soroptimist Student of the Year Scholarship. Fisher deemed Mack “one of the most genuine people I’ve ever met in my life,” and recalled how Mack was able to spot errors in a letter of recommendation that Fisher had written for her.
“No matter what, she is in control,” Fisher laughed. “She’s always so kind. She’s as close to perfect as they come.”
Although Mack will be attending college in Portland, Ore., she expressed the hope that her hometown will remember her as fondly as she will remember it. She pledged to continue helping people “in whatever ways I can,” and credited the schools and community of Marysville with helping her find out “what I’ll enjoy doing with my life.”
